Sabarimala Gold Theft: SIT Questions Potti’s Friend Who Took Artefacts to Bengaluru

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of gold from Sabarimala temple's artefacts in Thiruvananthapuram has summoned Ananthasubrahmaniam, a close associate of prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, for questioning on Monday. Ananthasubrahmaniam, who received 42.8 kg of gold sheets from the dwarapalaka idols and door frames on Potti's behalf in July 2019, transported them to his Bengaluru residence under the pretext of maintenance and electroplating.

The SIT, appointed by the Kerala High Court, is intensifying its probe into the 2019 incident where gold-plated copper panels were removed from the Ayyappa shrine, amid allegations of misappropriation involving temple officials and sponsors. This development marks a key step in unravelling the itinerary of the artefacts across multiple states, as investigators focus on tracing the "lost gold" estimated at around 2-4.5 kg.

According to sources, Ananthasubrahmaniam informed the SIT that the sheets were stored at his home for several days before being forwarded to Hyderabad for repairs at a workshop owned by Nagesh, another Potti accomplice. A suspicious delay occurred during the transfer from Hyderabad to a Chennai firm, Smart Creations, where the gold was reportedly stripped and only 394 grams used for replating to conceal the theft. The mahazar document prepared by then Sabarimala Executive Officer D. Sudheesh Kumar confirms Ananthasubrahmaniam's receipt of the items.

Currently not named as an accused, he faces potential arrest pending further scrutiny, with the SIT conducting a joint interrogation alongside Potti at the Crime Branch headquarters. This follows Potti's arrest on October 17, after over 10 hours of questioning, and his remand to police custody until October 30.

Sabarimala, one of India's most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites, draws millions annually, making the temple's treasures a symbol of deep cultural and religious significance. The scandal erupted from irregularities in gold cladding on the sanctum's guardian idols and door frames, approved for "maintenance" but allegedly exploited for personal gain. Potti, a former assistant priest at the temple from 2004 to 2008 turned businessman, has confessed to routing the artefacts through Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai during COVID-19 travel curbs.

The SIT's remand report accuses him of conspiring with nine others, including Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) members, to syphon gold while collecting unauthorised payments from Bengaluru donors. Cyberforensic teams are now tracing Potti's 2019 phone records and financial trails, including real estate dealings, to build evidence of illicit wealth.

Also Read: Sabarimala Gold Theft: Sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti Arrested, SIT Investigates Alleged TDB Involvement

In parallel, the SIT plans to escort Potti to Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru this week for on-site evidence collection, aiming to corroborate his statements and inspect implicated sites. Investigators will also record testimonies from former TDB presidents A. Padmakumar and N. Vasu, as well as suspended official Murari Babu and other staff, with arrests likely imminent for those implicated in facilitating the removal.

The probe, monitored by the High Court, has sparked political controversy, with the BJP alleging government interference and calling for a CBI inquiry. As the SIT delves deeper, the case underscores vulnerabilities in temple asset management, prompting demands for stricter oversight to protect sacred endowments from exploitation.

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